EUNIC launches Spaces of Culture 2026: Call for cultural relations projects in Sub-Saharan Africa

EUNIC – European Union National Institutes for Culture – has launched the second edition of its Spaces of Culture call for proposals, aimed at supporting seven new cultural relations projects in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Entering its second funding cycle, Spaces of Culture is part of the broader Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture programme, an initiative by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) that promotes cooperation between African and European artists, creators, and cultural professionals.

The 2026 call supports cultural relations projects that are based on equal partnerships and local ownership and involve local cultural and civil society stakeholders, EUNIC members, and EU Delegations.
 

European Union National Institutes for Culture, 2026

Deadlines

• Applicants should engage with partners on a project concept before 30 April 2026.
• Application deadline: 21 June 2026 (23H59 CAT).

Eligibility & requirements

Projects must be developed and implemented by a triangular partnership including:
• At least three local cultural or civil society partners.
• At least three EUNIC members (or two where no EUNIC cluster exists).
• Involvement of an EU Delegation.

Project activities should go beyond promoting European culture by embracing cultural relations principles such as: Mutual listening and learning, dialogue, co-creation, and joint capacity building.

The call encourages projects in contemporary and innovative formats across the arts, creative industries, digitalisation, education, gender, heritage, human rights, social inclusion, sports, sustainability, tourism, youth, and more.

An independent jury of four experts from Sub-Saharan Africa and Europe, experienced in Africa-Europe cultural relations, will evaluate proposals against the selection criteria. 

Further details on the European Union National Institutes for Culture website. 

Contact

Robert Kieft – robert.kieft@eunicglobal.eu
 
Thoriso Moseneke – thoriso.moseneke@eunicglobal.eu

European Union National Institutes for Culture, 2026

About EUNIC

EUNIC - European Union National Institutes for Culture - is the European network of national-level organisations engaging in international cultural relations.

Together partners worldwide, EUNIC brings to life cultural collaboration in more than 100 countries through a network of 143 clusters, drawing on the experience of EUNIC members from all EU Member States and associate countries.

EUNIC advocates a prominent role of culture in international relations and is a strategic partner of the EU in this field. EUNIC is a platform for knowledge sharing and capacity building amongst its members and partners.

Find out more at Eunic.eu/about